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The service, operated by Infosex has been running for a number of years, is free, confidential and anonymous

The Adeje council’s department of health has just launched a campaign to encourage people who fall into certain groups to take advantage of the rapid HIV testing available in the borough. “According to the health councillor, Amada Trujillo Bencomo, “we have been offering this service for a few years now through the Infosex service, in South Tenerife, in collaboration with the Canarian Health Service. Through the programme those interested in being tested can do so in a fast, confidential, free and anonymous way, with qualified personnel in attendance. We feel that perhaps there are people unaware of the service so wanted to launch this campaign to publicise it for the general public”.

Trujillo Bencomo added, “Our main objective is always the good health of the people of Adeje. Since 2014 we have been in partnership with the regional health service in offering HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted disease testing in non-clinical settings, offering early detection to ensure better health care”.

Infosex Adeje is based in the south of Tenerife with its main objective being to offer information regarding health and sexuality. They also carry rapid testing for HIV, syphilis and Hepatitis C. Infosex also, in collaboration with the Adeje Health Centre, offer the Hep A vaccine and work with the Asociación Cruz Blanca to reach vulnerable women who may be working in prostitution. The service is completely anonymous, confidential and free and can be accessed by anyone. The telephone number to call for an appointment for a rapid HIV test is 601701703.

In 2017 the Adeje department of health, with Infosex Adeje, carried out over 200 of the above mentioned tests and vaccinated over 150 people. The councillor is encouraging more people to take up the offer of the service to improve the lives and health of people in the area. “From today we are involved in a serious campaign to let people know about Infosex Adeje and the services on offer. We want to make people aware of the importance of early diagnosis in HIV/Aids cases and encourage people to take the rapid test, particularly those who are in groups more at risk of HIV, such men engaging in sexual activity with other men and transsexual women. The campaign will use all media, social platforms, posters, leaflets, etc.”

According to the National Plan in Aids, 30% of people living with Aids in Spain are still not aware that they are HIV positive, and furthermore the incidence of STIs continues to rise. The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) is leading the global effort to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. They have a 90:90:90 strategy: By 2020, 90% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status. By 2020, 90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy. By 2020, 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression. Adeje councillor Amada Trujillo Bencomo says, “the Adeje council is committed to allocating the human, material and economic resources necessary to work with this international body to make this happen”.